An Air Berlin Airbus A330-200, registration D-ABXA performing flight AB-7425 from Phuket (Thailand) to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) with 249 passengers, was climbing out of Phuket's runway 27 when the crew stopped the climb and decided to return to Phuket. The crew declared emergency reporting a left hand engine (PW4168) fire indication, shut the engine down, activated the engine fire suppression and landed safely on runway 09 about 40 minutes after departure at 21:26L (14:26Z). The aircraft was disabled on the runway after a number of tyres deflated, there were no injuries. The passengers disembarked onto the runway via mobile stairs.

The airport reported the crew reported an engine fire before turning back to the aerodrome. The aerodrome was closed for about 6 hours until the aircraft was removed from the runway.

Passengers reported repeated bangs and sparks flying off an engine. Three main gear tyres were blown during landing.

One passenger reported the aircraft was already descending back towards Phuket at 21:14L when the engine caught fire.

Sources tell The Aviation Herald, that the engine had suffered an uncontained engine failure which also damaged two hydraulic systems - the green and blue hydraulic systems are both pressurized by engine driven pumps located in engine #1. Leaking hydraulic fluid caught fire during the return to Phuket. The aircraft's fly by wire system reverted to direct law, no antiskid was available for braking in Phuket.

The airline confirmed an incident on flight AB-7425, all passengers are in good health and disembarked via stairs, no further details are yet known to the airline. The airline does not confirm an engine fire however.

An Etihad Airways Boeing 777-300, registration A6-ETI performing flight EY-403 from Bangkok (Thailand) to Abu Dhabi diverted to Phuket to pick up the passengers of flight AB-7425, departed Phuket at 12:20L (05:20Z) and is estimated to reach Abu Dhabi with a delay of 3.5 hours with respect to flight EY-403 and a delay of 15 hours with respect to flight AB-7425.

A Jetblue Airbus A320-200, registration N523JB performing flight B6-756 from Aruba (Aruba) to New York JFK,NY (USA) with 128 passengers, was climbing out of Aruba when the crew decided to return to Aruba reporting a hydraulic failure. The aircraft landed safely back in Aruba.

The flight was cancelled, the passengers were rebooked onto one of the next flights B6-764 and B6-758 later the day.

A THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration TC-JPN performing flight TK-1825 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Dusseldorf (Germany) with 130 passengers, was departing Istanbul Ataturk Airport's runway 35R when parts of the right hand engine cowling (V2527) departed the engine. The crew levelled off at 8000 feet and returned to Istanbul for a safe landing on ruway 35R about 40 minutes after departure.

A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration TC-JPC departed Istanbul the following morning and reached Dusseldorf with a delay of 9 hours.

Monday, 24 December 2012

Just a quick message to all who have supported us with this blog with kind words, logs of trips and photos i would like to wish you all a very merry christmas and happy 2013.

when we started doing the blog it was really only for our own records as we are airbus mad here and spent many an hour trawling through the internet looking at different sites for information and so decided to put it all in one place to make it easier to find out what we wanted to know quickly.

we never expected it to have people viewing it on a daily basis and never expected over 150,000 views.

we hope it is of use to the people who view it, we know most of the information is only taken from other sources but we hope it makes finding out information on airbus a little easier for you.

best wishes to you all and your families and remember that airports are privately owned and so please respect them or we will lose the access we all love so much

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Allegiant Travel Company Announces the Intention to Acquire Up to Nine A320 Aircraft

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

-- Allegiant Travel Company(Nasdaq:ALGT) today announced its intention to purchase up to nine used A320 aircraft. The average age of these aircraft at delivery is expected to be 12 years with a configuration of 177 seats. The aircraft have been most recently operated by Iberia.

"The A320 aircraft type is a perfect complement to the smaller A319 and will enable us to continue cost effective growth for years to come," said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant President. "These transactions represent a tremendous opportunity to purchase a sizeable fleet of sister-ships with CFM powered engines, the same engine type as our A319s, at very attractive prices. Finding up to nine aircraft of this pedigree available for purchase is unusual in our experience. Historically it has been difficult to find owners willing to sell quality assets at this point in their life cycle. Our cash reserves and strong balance sheet continue to provide us a unique ability in the used aircraft space to move on these attractive opportunities."

"We do not expect a material change to our 2013 capacity as we will vary MD-80 utilization appropriately. As with the earlier acquisition of A319s, we are committed to only acquire aircraft at values that support our existing business model of relatively low fleet utilization," concluded Levy.

Seven aircraft are expected to be purchased in 2013 and two in 2014. With the addition of this transaction, Allegiant is now expecting 2013 total CAPEX to be between $270 and $280 million versus the previous guidance of $150 to $160 million. The company expects to finance the purchase of these aircraft with debt.

Allegiant expects to place the first A320 into service late in the third quarter of 2013 and all nine aircraft are expected to be in service by the end of 2014. No additional MD-80 retirements are planned as a result of this transaction.

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Pegasus selects up to 100 A320neo Family Aircraft

Pegasus Airlines, the second largest airline in Turkey, has signed for up to 100 A320neo Family aircraft (57 A320neo and 18 A321neo models), of which 75 are firm orders. Pegasus becomes a new Airbus customer and the first Turkish airline to order the A320neo.

This is the largest single commercial aircraft order ever placed by an airline in Turkey, and was announced today at a ceremony attended by Binali Yıldırım, the Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, Ali Sabanci, Chairman of Pegasus, Sertac Haybat, CEO of Pegasus and Christopher Buckley, Airbus Executive Vice President Europe, Asia and Pacific.

“It is with great pride that we are placing the biggest order in the history of Turkish civil aviation with Airbus for up to 100 A320neo Family aircraft,” said Ali Sabanci, Chairman of Pegasus. “At Pegasus, we believe that everyone has the right to fly, and the A320neo with its 15 percent fuel burn reduction combined with superior cabin comfort made it without a doubt the best choice for achieving our ambitious future development plans.”

“We are delighted to welcome Pegasus as a new Airbus customer,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Airlines around the world are focused on growing their business profitably and the A320neo offers them a solution for doing just that. New generation technologies on the NEO, such as Sharklets and more efficient engines will cut fuel burn by 15 percent, and in addition operators will benefit from the proven high reliability of the A320 Family.”

Pegasus’ new aircraft will be configured in a comfortable all economy layout with 180 seats in the A320neo and 220 seats in the A321neo. They will be deployed on Pegasus’ rapidly expanding network from Istanbul to destinations in Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.

Incorporating new engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, the A320neo Family will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. In addition, the A320neo Family will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

With more than 8,800 aircraft ordered and over 5,300 aircraft delivered to over 380 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Qatar Airways is poised to replace its Airbus A300-600 freighters with new-build A330-200Fs after concluding a lease deal with BOC Aviation.
The Doha-based carrier's cargo arm operates the three A300-600Fs alongside four Boeing 777Fs.
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker told Flightglobal that the airline has decided to acquire three new A330-200Fs to enable it to phase out its three A300-600Fs. "Delivery is imminent, the first is in the paint shop," he says, confirming that the lessor is BOC Aviation.
It is understood that the three A330Fs are being leased while Qatar Airways negotiates a larger deal for either new or converted A330 freighters. The airline has been in long-running talks with Airbus and EADS' conversion unit EFW about a deal to convert its large fleet of passenger A330-200s and -300s to freighters, but has so far failed to reach agreement.
It is understood that the three A330-200Fs were previously earmarked for lease to HNA Group of China. The first aircraft is being prepared for delivery to Qatar Airways in Toulouse, with the others due to follow in early 2013.

Air Astana takes delivery of its first A321 directly ordered from Airbus

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, has taken delivery of its first A321 out of a total of six A320 Family aircraft ordered from Airbus in May 2008. The delivery was celebrated in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The aircraft will join Air Astana’s fleet, which already includes 10 A320 Family aircraft, operated on the airline’s domestic and international network.

The airline’s A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a two class cabin layout, seating 28 passengers in business class and 151 in economy.

Air Astana started commercial service with its first Airbus aircraft, an A320, in 2006, and is currently operating one A319, seven A320s and two A321s.

“The arrival of the first owned Airbus A321s at Air Astana is not only a major event for the airline, but also for the government of Kazakhstan. Having launched the airline with minimal capital in 2002, we are pleased to have built up sufficient financial strength to the point where we are now taking delivery of a new fleet of substantial value. Air Astana has entered an important new phase of its development,” said Peter Foster, President of Air Astana.

“We congratulate Air Astana on their first delivery of directly ordered Airbus aircraft. We are confident that the market leading A320 Family will strongly contribute to Air Astana’s growth”, says John Leahy Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

To date, more than 8,800 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 5,300 delivered to 380 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. The A320neo, with almost 1,580 firm orders from more than 30 customers since its launch two years ago, is the fastest selling commercial aircraft ever and is on track to enter service from 2015.

AirAsia orders 100 more A320s

AirAsia, the largest low cost airline in Asia, has placed a new order with Airbus for 100 more A320 Family aircraft. The contract covers an additional 64 A320neo and 36 A320ceo aircraft for operation across the carrier’s network.

The order was announced during a visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron to the Airbus wing manufacturing facility at Broughton in the UK, where Mr Cameron witnessed the signing of documents by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia and Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO, Airbus.

The contract reaffirms AirAsia’s position as the largest A320 Family airline customer in the world. Altogether, the carrier has now ordered 475 single aisle aircraft from Airbus, comprising 264 A320neo and 211 A320ceo. Over 100 aircraft have already been delivered to the airline and are flying out of its bases in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and Tokyo.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia said during the signing: “We have three gold mines in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. On the other hand, Philippines and Japan have enormous potential growth. With these added aircraft, it goes in-line with our strategy to further build our already extensive network through new routes and added frequencies and allow AirAsia to maintain its market leadership."

“AirAsia is one of the great success stories of recent years in the airline business,” said Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO, Airbus. “The repeated confidence the airline places in the A320 is a clear endorsement of the reliability, efficiency and unbeatable operating economics offered by the world’s most modern single aisle product line.”

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, more than 8,800 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,300 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

Rumours doing the rounds suggest that the order may come from Turkish Airlines or Cathay Pacific if its a new airline or Emirates if its a top up order.......only time will tell watch this space

Airbus is working on finalizing another “significant order” for the Airbus A380 soon, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers John Leahy tells Aviation Week. Leahy is hopeful a memorandum of understanding (MOU) can be signed before the end of the year with the commitment turned into a firm order in 2013. Leahy declined to identify the customer and the exact number of aircraft under discussion.
Airbus is far short of its own sales target of 30 A380s in 2012. So far, it has recorded only a firm order for four aircraft from Russian airline Transaero. Leahy says, however, that an MOU for five aircraft signed by Singapore Airlines earlier this year will still appear in the firm 2012 order book, with the two sides working on the last contract details.
Leahy expects demand for the A380 to pick up in 2013 and “certainly” in 2014, once the large legacy carriers leave the current downturn behind them. “How else are we going to double RPKs in the next 15 years?” Leahy asks, other than by using larger aircraft. “The future is still with the A380.”
Airbus has a backlog of 165 A380s from 19 airlines and one VIP customer. Production is sold out until the end of 2015, when the first two open slots are available.

Starflyer takes delivery of its first directly purchased Airbus A320

Starflyer, Japan’s fast-growing,value-based airline, has taken delivery of its first ever directly purchased aircraft, an Airbus A320, during a delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft is the first of three A320s ordered by the company in 2011, and is powered by CFM56-5B4/P engines. It will accommodate 150 passengers in a single-class configuration. Starflyer will deploy the new aircraft to strengthen its network in Japan and to regional destinations.

“Thanks to its best-in-class fuel consumption and high reliability, the A320 has played a key role in Starflyer’s success” said Starflyer President and CEO Shinichi Yonehara. “Furthermore, thanks to the A320’s wide cabin, we will be able to continue offering excellent services to our passengers, which is key to gaining competitive advantages in Japan’s increasingly challenging market.”

Starflyer already operates an all-Airbus fleet of seven leased A320s, the first of which was delivered in Toulouse exactly seven years ago. With today’s aircraft, the airline’s fleet will raise to eight A320s, with another six to be delivered both via lease and direct purchase.

“We are very pleased to see Starflyer take delivery of their first directly purchased A320” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “With its superior performance, economics, passenger cabin comfort and quick turn-around times, the A320 is the best possible aircraft for companies committed to optimising costs while ensuring a great flight experience for their passengers.”

The A320 Family is the benchmark single-aisle family and is recognised as the aircraft of choice for value-based carriers in Japan. The aircraft feature the latest technology available today, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and the highest degree of operational commonality. With 99.8% reliability and extended servicing intervals, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft today.

More than 5,300 A320 Family aircraft are in airline operation around the world today with over 380 customers and operators. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world-wide standard wide-body system.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

The month in review: November 2012

With 186 orders and 54 deliveries in November, Airbus achieved new programme milestones and reconfirmed its commercial strategy.

The new bookings brought overall Airbus orders over the 12,000 mark – to 12,064 – and boosted the current backlog to more than 4,500 aircraft, of which nearly 3,500 are from its single-aisle A320 Family.

At the end of November, Airbus had already achieved its targeted 2012 “book-to-bill” rate of greater than 1, which is the number of annual aircraft orders divided by jetliner deliveries. In addition, the 646 gross orders accumulated during the 11 months of 2012 placed Airbus just four short of its 650-aircraft sales target for the year.

Also, Airbus is heading to a new delivery record in 2012 with the 516 aircraft provided by the end November – compared with 534 in all of 2011.

New business for the Airbus single-aisle product line in November was paced by an undisclosed customer's contract for 100 A320 Family jetliners. This was accompanied by Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet’s purchase agreement for 40 A320s, the China Aircraft Leasing Company’s order for 28 A320ceo (current engine option) jetliners and eight A321ceo versions, Transavia Airways’ acquisition of six additional A321neo aircraft, and Tibet Airways’ order for one A319.

Three orders were booked during November for Airbus’ widebody A330/A340 family: two A340-500s for AJW Capital Partners Limited – a worldwide aviation services group based in the U.K.; and an Iraqi Ministry of Transportation-ordered A330-200, to be operated by Iraqi Airways – the national carrier of Iraq.

The month’s deliveries included three A380s – two for Emirates and one to THAI, which brings the total number of Airbus’ 21st flagship jetliners received so far in 2012 by customers to 25.

Among the total 41 deliveries of A320 Family aircraft in November were Tibet Airlines’ first A319 assembled at the Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly Line in China, and the initial A321 for Air Astana of Kazakhstan.

The 10 A330s provided to customers during the month included the first A330-200 to Iraqi Airways – a new operator for the type; along with the no. 1 A330-200 to Garuda; and the first A330-300s to Transasia, XL Airways and Corsair.

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Airbus to display two corporate jets at MEBA show

Airbus will display two corporate jets at the MEBA show, giving visitors an opportunity to see the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet in elegantly different arrangements.

The aircraft are the backbone of the Airbus corporate jet family, which have a strong presence in the important Middle East market.

They comprise an Airbus ACJ318 operated on VVIP charter flights by Al Jaber Aviation (AJA), and the ACJ319 of a private Middle East customer.

“We make corporate jets out of the world’s most modern aircraft family,” explains Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers John Leahy, “which means that we start with great aircraft with spacious cabins and then make them even better, allowing customers to take into the air the comfort and space of their lifestyles on the ground.”

“That’s something that Middle East customers have long appreciated, because it’s where we sold our first corporate jet in the mid-1980s, and it’s still the most important market for widebody corporate jets today,” he adds.

Airbus’ corporate jet family ranges from the ACJ318 all the way up to the double-deck A380, giving customers an unparalleled choice of the comfort that that they want, in the size that they need.

The newest member of the Airbus corporate jet family is the ACJ318 Enhanced, featuring a cabin upgrade and wider choice of options. This is complemented by improved versions of the Airbus A330 which, together with the A340, can be allied to a new widebody cabin package called the Gala concept.

Airbus corporate jets are the new gold-standard in business aviation, delivering unmatched comfort, space and productivity to the world’s leaders - on every continent, in every market, in every style.

Iraqi Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A330

On behalf of Iraqi Ministry of Transportation, Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq, has taken delivery of its first A330-200 becoming a new operator for the type. This will be the first Airbus widebody aircraft to be operated by Iraqi Airways. The carrier already operates two A321 aircraft.

Accommodating a two-class configuration of 24 business and 264 economy seats, the aircraft is powered by GE CF6-80 engines and will be deployed on European routes including Germany, Austria and the UK.

“The A330-200 will allow us to grow our international routes while offering high quality of service and flight experience to our increasing number of passengers,” said Captain Saad Mahdi Saeed Al-Khafaji, Iraqi Airways General Manager, “The aircraft will service a number of international routes, namely to Europe, providing passengers a more comfortable journey with spacious seating.”

“We are pleased to welcome Iraqi Airways as a new operator of the A330 family aircraft. Iraq has a big potential and we are seeing more flights being operated to several cities in the country,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “With the A330-200, Iraqi Airways will benefit from the aircraft’s low operating costs, proven reliability and great passenger appeal.”

The A330 is one of the most widely-used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded over 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and more than 900 are in service with 90 operators worldwide today. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

Huge China Eastern order for 60 Airbus A320NEOS.

China Eastern Airlines ordered 60 Airbus A320s yesterday in what is the second-biggest order won by the European aeroplane maker for A320 aircraft this year. The deal came 11 days after the European Commission (EC) suspended its controversial emissions trading scheme on flights into and out of Europe until at least next autumn.

The airline, mainland China's second-largest carrier by value, said the order was worth US$5.3 billion at list prices, although the carrier added that it received "substantial price concessions".

Airbus also agreed to buy 18 smaller regional jets from China Eastern, which have a book value of 1.54 billion yuan (HK$1.9 billion), for the aircraft manufacturer to sell or lease to airlines.

The A320s, which typically carry about 150 passengers, will be delivered in phases between 2014 and 2017 when they will be deployed on short- and medium-range domestic services. They will replace the eight Canadair and 10 Embraer regional jets that China Eastern has sold to Airbus.

The airline said the disposal of its entire fleet of 50-seat regional jets will streamline the aircraft types operated by the company as well as optimise its fleet structure and lower operating costs. The regional jets have an average age of 8.2 years.

China Eastern Airlines is the world's largest operator of A320s with 130 aircraft in service and 18 already on order before yesterday's purchase announcement, according to Airbus data.

The airline was among the mainland China carriers which boycotted the EC's emissions trading scheme after the Civil Aviation Administration of China ordered carriers not to participate earlier this year.

The emissions trading scheme would have cost Chinese airlines 790 million yuan had it been applied this year, according to aviation industry estimates, rising to 3.7 billion yuan in 2020.

On November 12, the EC proposed deferring the application of the scheme to flights outside Europe until after a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) general assembly set for autumn 2013. The ICAO is a United Nations body governing global aviation.

China’s Tibet Airlines takes delivery of its first FALC A319

China’s Tibet Airlines has taken delivery of its first A319 assembled at the Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly Line (FALC). The A319 delivered today is the fifth A319 to join the all Airbus fleet operated by lhasa based Tibet Airlines. The airline received its first Airbus A319 in July 2011 in Hamburg, Germany.

The newly delivered A319 accommodates 128 passengers in a two-class configuration with eight premium seats and 120 economy seats. The aircraft is powered by CFM56-5B engines.

The aircraft will operate from Lhasa Gongga Airport, which at 12,000 feet in altitude is one of the world’s highest. t o. It will fly the route between Lhasa and Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong in Southern China with a stop-over in Chengdu, Southwestern China.

RNP-AR procedures represent today the most modern navigation technique, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along a predefined route using on-board navigation systems and the GPS-based ‘Global Navigation Satellite System’ (GNSS). RNP AR is especially important for airlines operating in and out of high altitude airports. Tibet Airlines has selected Quovadis, an Airbus subsidiary, as its strategic partner for its RNP-AR operations.

“The new aircraft will fly between Shenzhen and Lhasa and contribute to further development of the two areas”, said Yin Huixin, Vice President of Tibet Airlines.

“We are honored that our modern Airbus A319 aircraft will contribute to the development of civil aviation on the Tibetan plateau and I’m really confident that the FALC assembled A319 will serve the need of Tibet Airlines”, said Airbus China President Laurence Barron.

The FALC in Tianjin is based on the latest state-of-the-art Airbus single aisle final assembly line in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft delivered in China are assembled to the same standards as those assembled and delivered in Europe.

Airbus has delivered 105 Tianjin assembled A320 Family aircraft to 11 operators since the inauguration of the Final Assembly Line in 2008, which is the first Airbus final assembly line outside Europe.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With more than 8, 600 aircraft sold, and over 5, 300 aircraft delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.8 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.

An Air Contractors Airbus A300-B4 on behalf of EAT Leipzig on behalf of DHL, registration EI-EAC performing freight flight QY-6321 from Leipzig (Germany) to Bratislava (Slovakia) with 3 crew, landed on Bratislava's runway 22 at 05:25L (04:24Z) when after touch down and during roll out the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft veered left off the runway and came to a stop on its main gear and nose about 1800 meters past the runway threshold with all gear on soft ground, no injuries occurred. The aircraft received damage to the nose gear, front section of the belly as well as both engines, which contacted soft ground.

DHL reported there was no damage to the cargo. The crew had not reported any problems prior to landing, the aircraft was in the roll out at relatively low speed already when the nose gear collapsed.

Runway 04/22 as well as a number of taxiways are currently closed as result of the occurrence. The airport continues operations on runway 13/31.

AJW Capital buys two A340-500s

AJW Capital Partners Limited, a worldwide aviation services group based in the UK, has signed a firm contract for the purchase of two Airbus A340-500s aircraft. With this order AJW Capital becomes the newest Airbus aircraft customer. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines the aircraft features a comfortable two-class cabin for maximum passenger appeal. Commercial service will begin with an existing AJW Group customer early 2013.

“This aircraft order is an important step to further develop the global presence and product portfolio of AJW Capital Partners”, said Christopher Whiteside, President of AJW Group.

“We are very pleased to welcome AJW Capital as a new Airbus customer and we wish to congratulate them on this order’’, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. ‘’We are proud that they have selected Airbus to develop their product portfolio and I look forward to our partnership”.

The A340-500 is the member of Airbus’ A330/A340 Family with to date more than 1600 aircraft sold and a customer and operator base beyond 150. Operating the world’s longest-range commercial air routes the aircraft offers maximum operational flexibility.

Chinese customer orders Airbus ACJ319

An Airbus ACJ319 with the fuel-saving Sharklet option has been ordered by a Chinese customer, in the first deal for this version from the country. The order builds on the strong Airbus corporate jet presence in greater China, where there are around 25 orders to date.

Airbus corporate jets such as the ACJ318 and ACJ319 are already in widespread service in China, with operators such as BAA Jet Management, Beijing Airlines, China Eastern Executive Aviation, Comlux Asia, Deer Jet, Hong Kong Jet and TAG Aviation.

“China is a relatively new market for corporate jets, as well as having one of the highest economic growth rates, making it a bright spot in today’s business jet market, especially at the top end where Airbus corporate jets serve with distinction,” points out Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “The Chinese business jet market also favours the ability to carry larger groups, for which Airbus corporate jets are especially well suited.”

Airbus’ ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ321 share a similar length and wingspan with competing large business jets, but have the widest and tallest cabin, delivering unequalled comfort, space and freedom of movement.

The wider cabin of Airbus corporate jets allows unique features such as a large circular table that converts to a square one, which is popular in cultures such as China’s because it allows the ideal arrangements for both socialising and playing games such as Mah Jong.

Airbus corporate jets also come from a good family – the world’s most modern – which means that they deliver inherently good value, with many standard features that are lacking in other business jets. These include pilot and mechanic friendly common cockpits, fly by wire controls and centralised maintenance. Other features include a richer baseline specification, extensive use of weight-saving materials such as carbonfibre, and new range-extending engine options.

More than 490 Airbus customers and operators benefit for a worldwide network of technical support and training and support centres, which includes services tailored to corporate jet users, including staff based in China.

Airbus corporate jets now also has commercial offices in both Beijing and Hong Kong.

Airbus corporate jets have won more than 170 orders to date, from companies, individuals and governments, and are flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

Maldivian Airlines becomes a new A320 operator

Maldivian Airlines, the national carrier of the Maldives has become a new operator of Airbus single aisle aircraft, following the first commercial flight of an A320 on the inaugural flight from Male to Chennai. The aircraft, operated under a leasing agreement, is the first A320 Maldivian will fly to destinations in the Indian sub-continent.

The aircraft, which is powered by CFM56 engines, was previously handed over at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Maldives, in October 2012. Its interior has been specifically modified to accommodate a three-class configuration: 14 business, 18 premium and 120 economy seats.

“This entry into service of our first A320 is a great day for Maldivian and our passengers. This signifies the increasing expansion of Maldivian in the region,” commented Abdul Haris, Managing Director of Maldivian. “We will start our A320 operations with direct flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka, much-anticipated routes for our customers.”

“We are delighted to welcome Maldivian as the latest operator of our best selling A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Its best-in-class fuel consumption and impeccable eco-efficient credentials make it the ideal match for the Maldives, an island nation which sets high standards for environmental responsibility.”

The A320 Family is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. The aircraft feature the latest technology available today, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and the highest degree of operational commonality. With 99.8% reliability and extended servicing intervals, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft today. More than 5,300 A320 Family aircraft are in airline operation around the world today with over 370 customers and operators. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world-wide standard wide-body system.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Interjet signs purchase agreement for 40 A320neo

Mexican low-cost carrier and all-Airbus operator Interjet signed a purchase agreement for 40 A320neo aircraft. Interjet will announce the aircraft’s engine selection at a later date. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit for Interjet’s fleet of 36 A320s. Later this month, Interjet will receive an additional A320 aircraft.

In only seven years of operations, Interjet has become a leading domestic airline in Mexico, having quickly expanded their network throughout the country and into the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. The new A320neo will support their continued network expansion and fleet renewal plans. Interjet has a backlog of 45 A320 Family aircraft, including today’s order.

“Adding the newest aircraft technology to our already young and efficient A320 fleet will allow us to operate some of the most cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly equipment available in aviation,” said Interjet Chairman Miguel Aleman Velasco.

“The A320neo will help Interjet maintain our leading position in Mexico’s airline business,” said Interjet President Miguel Alemán Magnani. “This order solidifies an already strong partnership with one of Mexico’s leading airlines. It also reinforces Latin America’s growing trend of operating some of the world’s youngest and most efficient aircraft,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Interjet will be one of the first airlines in the region to operate the A320neo and to benefit from the 15 percent reduction in fuel burn it delivers.”

To date, more than 8,600 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 5,300 delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. The A320neo, with almost 1,500 firm orders from more than 30 customers since its launch, is the fastest selling commercial aircraft ever and is on track to enter service from 2015.

With more than 700 aircraft sold and a backlog of almost 350, over 450 Airbus aircraft operate throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60 percent of all aircraft operating in the region.

Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the US, China, Japan and in the Middle East. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS company.

Afriqiyah Airways places firm order for four more A350 XWBs

Afriqiyah Airways has increased its A350 XWB fleet with a new firm order for four A350-900s. The carrier has also converted its original order for six A350-800s into six of the larger A350-900 model. This brings Afriqiyah’s total A350 XWBs on order to ten A350-900s.

Afriqiyah’s A350 XWBs will seat 314 passengers, offering them the industry’s ultimate cabin experience. These aircraft will be operated on new routes the carrier will open to destinations in the US, the Middle East and Asia.

“Having Afriqiyah come back with this new, incremental order for the A350 XWB is great news and a strong signal that this aircraft is the industry’s new benchmark in the long-haul segment,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are convinced that the A350’s unbeatable economics and superior passenger comfort will be key contributors to Afriqiyah’s continued success.”

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The new Family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, with Afriqiyah’s newest order included, the A350 XWB has already won 562 firm orders from 34 customers worldwide.

The month in review: October 2012

Airbus orders for its twin-aisle A330 and extra-widebody A350 XWB led the total 23 commercial bookings logged in October, while a year-record 57 deliveries were made during the month to international customers.

The new business was led by Turkish Airlines’ acquisition of 15 A330-300s, which marked the carrier’s seventh order for this twin-engine aircraft family. These additional jetliners will be operated on medium- and long-haul routes from the Turkish Airlines hub in Istanbul.

Another repeat A330 booking came from Etihad Airways, signing a firm order for two additional A330-200s as part of this United Arab Emirates national airline’s continued growth plans.

Also in October, Afriqiyah Airways acquired an additional four A350-900 versions of the A350 XWB jetliner family, and upsized its six A350-800s already on order to the same number of Airbus’ longer-fuselage A350-900 version.

Completing the month’s new business were bookings for two ACJ319 corporate jets by unnamed private customers.

In October, five A380s were delivered, marking the first time this number of 21st century flagship jetliners was provided to customers during a month. It brings the 2012 totals to 22, keeping Airbus on track for its target of delivering 30 double-deck aircraft during the year.

Other notable deliveries during the month included A320s for Jetstar Japan, AirAsia Japan and Peach Aviation – confirming the A320 Family’s success story with low-cost carriers in Japan and Asia.

By the end of October, 2012 deliveries reached an all-time year-to-date record of 462 to 76 customers, which also brought Airbus above the overall 5,300 milestone for its single-aisle aircraft and the 7,500 mark in all of its deliveries